La Ca Nova Nebbiolo Bocciolo, 2018

This is not La Ca Nova, which has excellent vineyards in Barbaresco, but Azienda Agricola Ca Noval, located in the Novara hills of the northern Piedmont at the foot of the Monte Rosa massif.. I had a glass of it to accompany my meal of campanelle bolognese at Alla Vita on Randolph Street in Chicago. Both the meal and wine were excellent.

It's too dark in the restaurant to note the color, but smells and flavors confirm that the wine is made by a staunch traditionalist (without barriques). Enchanting scents of red flowers, dark cherries, savory spices and black pepper. Very peppery. Seems approachable and elegant on initial sips, but the characteristic Nebbiolo dryness becomes more and more apparent as the meal progresses. Still very bold and tannic; should age well. Flavors follow me all the way back to our hotel. A special wine that is selling for $16.99 at Binny's in Chicago.